Patent application title: COIN LOCK

Abstract:

Coin lock comprising a lock housing (1) with two coin openings (2, 3) for
insertion of coins (A, B) which enable operation of the coin lock, a bolt
piece (8) which is connected to a bolt (9) and is arranged in the lock
housing and able to move between a forward and a rear position, and a
first and a second coin sensing device, each of which comprises a first
(31, 31', 34-, 34') and a second (32, 32', 35, 35') carrier device to
carry a coin with a predetermined minimum diameter, inserted through one
of the coin openings, and a hook (14, 15) which; in absence of a coin
with the predetermined minimum diameter, borne by the carrier device, and
engaging with the bolt piece, prevents the bolt piece from being moved to
the forward position, and which, in the presence of a coin with the
predetermined minimum diameter, borne by the carrier device, allows the
bolt piece to be moved into the forward position. The carrier devices
(31, 31', 32, 32', 34, 34', 35, 35') of the first and second coin sensing
devices are arranged at the same side of the bolt piece (8).

Claims:

1. Coin lock comprisinga lock housing (1) with two coin openings (2, 3)
for insertion of coins (A, B) which enable operation of the coin lock,a
bolt piece (8) which is connected to a bolt (9) and is arranged in the
lock housing and able to move between a forward and a rear position, anda
first and a second coin sensing device, each of which comprises a first
(31, 31', 34, 34') and a second (32, 32', 35, 35') carrier device to
carry a coin with a predetermined minimum diameter, inserted through one
of the coin openings, and a hook (14, 15) which, in absence of a coin
with the predetermined minimum diameter, borne by the carrier device, and
engaging with the bolt piece, prevents the bolt piece from being moved to
the forward position, and which, in the presence of a coin with the
predetermined minimum diameter, borne by the carrier device, allows the
bolt piece to be moved into the forward position, characterized in that
the carrier devices (31, 31', 32, 32', 34, 34', 35, 35') of the first and
second coin sensing devices are arranged at the same side of the bolt
piece (8).

2. Coin lock according to claim 1, wherein the carrier devices (31, 31',
32, 32') of the first coin sensing device are arranged displaced in the
direction of movement of the bolt piece in relation to the carrier
devices (34, 34', 35, 35') of the second coin sensing device.

3. Coin lock according to claim 1, wherein the first coin sensing device's
first carrier device (31, 31') is secured to a first slide (16, 41),
which can move relative the bolt piece (8).

4. Coin lock according to claim 13 wherein the second coin sensing
device's first carrier device (34, 34') is secured to a second slide (19,
41), which can move relative to the bolt piece (8).

5. Coin lock according to claim 4, wherein the second slide (19) is able
to move relative to the first slide (16).

6. Coin lock according to claim 3, wherein the first and/or the second
coin sensing device's first carrier devices (31, 31', 34, 34') are
fixable in various positions of the first (16, 41) and second (19) slide,
respectively, to permit adjustment of the predetermined minimum diameter
of a coin (A, B) that will be borne by the carrier devices of the
respective coin sensing device.

7. Coin lock according to claim 1, wherein the bolt piece (8) has a
through opening (22) which is designed to allow passage of a coin (A)
from the side of the bolt piece on which the first and second coin
sensor's carrier devices (31, 31', 32, 32', 34, 34', 35, 35') are
arranged to the side of the bolt piece opposite the carrier devices.

8. Coin lock according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the first (16)
and second (19) slides has a flange (23) sticking out from the bolt piece
to steer a coin (A) through the bolt piece's through opening (22).

Description:

BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The invention relates to a coin lock and more specifically to a coin
lock of the kind indicated in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002]Such coin locks can be used, for example, in cabinets and storage
boxes at public places such as sports halls, public swimming baths, train
stations, airports and the like.

[0003]The coin locks can operate on the pawn principle, when the coin
inserted is returned after use, or on the pay principle, when the coin is
not returned.

[0004]With such coin locks it can be desirable for the lock to operate
only after two coins have been inserted in the lock. In particular, it
can be desirable for two coins of different value to be required to
operate the lock.

Prior art

[0005]EP 0 945 836 A describes a coin lock which can be operated after a
coin has been inserted in the lock. Thus, with this lock, it is not
possible to require insertion of two coins to enable the use of the lock.

[0006]DE 31 24 180 A1 describes a coin lock which can be adjusted such
that it requires the insertion of two identical coins to operate the
lock. However, this lock does not allow the lock to operate only after
different coins, that is to say two coins of different value, have been
inserted in the lock.

[0007]DE 103 50 951 B4 describes a coin lock which comprises a lock
housing in which a bolt can move by means of a key between a retracted
and an advanced position. The lock moreover comprises a first and a
second detention device for a first and a second coin, and a first and a
second releasable blocking device. The two blocking devices prevent
movement of the bolt if there is no coin in the respective detention
device and enable movement of the bolt when a coin is present in the
respective detention device. In the lock described in DE 103 50 951 B4,
the first and second detention devices are arranged at one side of the
bolt, while the second detention device is arranged at the other side of
the bolt. In this way, two separate coin tracks are formed, being
arranged on either side of the bolt. With this coin lock, it is possible
to require insertion of two coins of different value to enable operation
of the lock. However, the lock is relatively complicated and requires a
relatively large thickness crossways to the direction of movement of the
bolt. Furthermore, when using the coin lock just described, it is
necessary to insert the two coins in coin openings which are not arranged
in the same plane, i.e. which are not lined up with each other. This can
be a disadvantage for the use of the lock.

BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE INVENTION

[0008]One object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved coin
lock requiring the insertion of two coins to enable operation of the coin
lock.

[0009]Another object is to provide such a coin lock which is simple and
space-saving, and which has a relatively slight thickness.

[0010]Yet another object is to provide such a coin lock which is simple
and whose use is intuitive, and easy to understand.

[0011]These and other objects are achieved with a coin lock of the kind
indicated in the preamble of claim 1 and having the features indicated in
the characterizing part.

[0012]The coin lock according to the invention comprises a lock housing
with two coin openings for insertion of coins which enable operation of
the coin lock, and a bolt piece which is connected to a bolt and is
arranged in the lock housing and able to move between a forward and a
rear position. The coin lock furthermore comprises a first and a second
coin sensing device, each of which comprises a first and a second carrier
device to carry a coin with a predetermined minimum diameter, inserted
through one of the coin openings, and a hook. The hook of each coin
sensing device is arranged such that, in absence of a coin with the
predetermined minimum diameter, borne by the carrier device, and engaging
with the bolt piece, it prevents the latter from being moved to the
forward position, and, in the presence of a coin with the predetermined
minimum diameter, borne by the carrier device, it allows the bolt piece
to be moved into the forward position. According to the invention, the
carrier devices of the first and second coin sensing devices are arranged
at the same side of the bolt piece.

[0013]In this way, two coin tracks are formed, both of which are arranged
in the same plane, on the same side of the bolt piece. Since all the
carrier devices are arranged on the same side of the bolt piece, they
protrude in the same direction from the bolt piece. In this way it is
possible to reduce the total thickness across the bolt piece of the coin
lock as compared to what is necessary when carrier devices are arranged
on both sides and protrude in opposite directions from the bolt piece.
Since the coin tracks are formed in the same plane on one side of the
bolt piece, it is furthermore possible to arrange the two coin openings
in the same plane and in line with each other, which contributes to a
simplified handling of the coin lock as compared to coin locks where the
coin openings are arranged in different planes.

[0014]The carrier devices of the first coin sensing device are expediently
arranged displaced in the direction of movement of the bolt piece in
relation to the carrier devices of the second coin sensing device. In
this way, the two coin tracks are separated from each other, which
reduces the risk of the two coins knocking against each other or
otherwise disturbing each other's movement through the coin lock.

[0015]The first coin sensing device's first carrier device is expediently
secured to a first slide which can move relative to the bolt piece. This
allows in a simple manner for the carrier devices of the first coin
sensing device to be separated from each other during the completed
displacements of the bolt piece to the forward position, allowing the
coin to drop down in the lock, for example into an intermediate storage
station or directly into a coin return container or a paid coin
container.

[0016]In a corresponding manner, the second coin sensing device's first
carrier device is expediently secured to a second slide, which can move
relative to the bolt piece.

[0017]The two slides can be fashioned as one piece or can be coupled to
each other such that they are fixed in relation to each other. This
allows, among other things, simultaneous manual release of the two coins
from their respective carrier devices, for example by pressing in a
common coin return button for the two slides. Alternatively, the two
slides can be separated from each other and able to move relative to each
other. Such a separate configuration is advantageous, for example, if it
is desirable in certain applications to use only one coin track to enable
operation of the lock after insertion of one coin. The separate
configuration furthermore permits a combination of automatic release of
the one coin and manual release of the other coin, for example by
pressing a button.

[0018]The first and/or the second coin sensing device's first carrier
devices are expediently fixable in various positions of the first and
second slide, respectively. This permits simple adjustment of the
predetermined minimum diameter of a coin that will be borne by the
carrier devices of the respective coin sensing device.

[0019]The bolt piece expediently has a through opening which is designed
to allow passage of a coin from the side of the bolt piece on which the
first and second coin sensor's carrier devices are arranged to the side
of the bolt piece opposite the carrier devices. This achieves a greater
freedom of choice regarding the choice and placement of the return coin
and pay coin containers.

[0020]When using such a through opening in the bolt piece, at least one of
the first and second slides expediently has a flange sticking out from
the bolt piece to steer a coin through the bolt piece's continuous
opening. This permits simple and functionally reliable guidance of the
coin through the opening of the bolt piece, for continued transport, e.g.
down to an entrance of a pay coin container situated on the side of the
bolt piece opposite the carrier devices. By replacing this slide with a
slide not having such a flange sticking out, it is furthermore possible
to easily readjust the coin lock such that this coin is instead taken
further from the carrier devices to a return coin container situated on
the same side of the bolt piece as the carrier devices.

[0021]Further advantages and characteristics of the coin lock according to
the invention will appear from the following detailed description of
illustrative embodiments and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022]Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below with
reference to the figures, in which:

[0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin lock according to a first
embodiment of the invention.

[0024]FIG. 2 is a plan view from above of the coin lock according to the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0025]FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view from one side of certain parts of
the coin lock according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view corresponding to that in FIG. 3, but
from the other side.

[0027]FIG. 5 is a perspective view, with certain parts taken away, of a
coin lock according to a second embodiment.

[0028]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of certain parts of the coin lock
according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0029]The coin lock shown in FIG. 1-4 comprises a lock housing 1 or a lock
box which has two oblong coin openings 2, 3 arranged in line with each
other for insertion of a first (A) and a second (B) coin. The coin lock
also comprises a lock cylinder 4, whose core (not shown) engages with a
follower 5. A first 6 and a second 7 coin return container are arranged
at the lower part of the coin lock and are accessible from the outside of
the coin lock. In the lock housing, a bolt piece 8 is able to move
between a rear and a forward position. A bolt 9 is firmly connected via a
screw 10 to the bolt piece 8 and can move relative to the lock housing
together with the bolt piece 8. The follower 5 is connected to the bolt
by means of a pin 11. The lock housing 1, the bolt piece 8, the bolt 9
and the follower 5 are configured such that rotation of the follower in a
locking direction first produces an essentially horizontal displacement
of the bolt 9 and the bolt piece 8 to a forward extended position and
then an essentially vertical downward displacement of the bolt 9 and the
bolt piece 8, whereupon the bolt 9 can engage with a striking plate (not
shown) or the like. Rotation of the follower 5 in an opposite, unlocking
direction produces in a corresponding manner first a vertical upward
displacement of the bolt 9 and the bolt piece 8 and then a horizontal
displacement toward a rear retracted position of the bolt 9 and the bolt
piece 8.

[0030]The bolt piece 8 furthermore has a first 12 and a second 13
step-shaped stop, each of which has a number of stop steps. A first 14
and a second 15 hook is fixed in pivoting fashion to the lock housing 1
and designed to engage, in a respective swiveled down position, with the
first 12 and second 13 step-shaped stop, so as to prevent displacement of
the bolt piece 8 in the direction of the forward position.

[0031]As is shown most clearly in FIG. 4, a first upper slide 16 is
arranged at the bolt piece 8, on its one side. The first slide 16 can
move horizontally to a limited degree in relation to the bolt piece 8. A
first spring 17 is arranged between the bolt piece 8 and the first slide
16 to return the slide 16 to its starting position relative to the bolt
piece 8 when it has been moved relative to the bolt piece 8. The first
slide 16 has a step-shaped stop 18 with a number of stop steps and an
upper vertical stop 18a.

[0032]A second lower slide 19 is arranged in a corresponding manner at the
bolt piece 8, on the same side of the bolt piece as the first slide 16.
The second slide 19, like the first 16, can move horizontally to a
limited degree in relation to the bolt piece 8. A second spring 20 is
arranged between the bolt piece 8 and the second slide 19 to return the
second slide 19 to its starting position relative to the bolt piece 8
when it has been moved relative to the bolt piece 8. The second slide 19
also has a step-shaped stop 21 with a number of stop steps and an upper
vertical stop 21a.

[0033]The bolt piece 8 also has a through opening 22, and the second slide
19 comprises a guide flange 23 sticking out from the bolt piece 8 and
arranged in front of the through opening 22 in the bolt piece 8.

[0034]The coin lock comprises a first and a second coin sensing device.
The first coin sensing device comprises the first hook 14, a first,
carrier device 31 which is attached to the first slide 16, and a second
carrier device 32 which is attached to the bolt piece 8 and which extends
through an oblong hole 33 made in the first slide 16. The second coin
sensing device comprises the second hook 15, a first carrier device 34
which is attached to the second slide 19, and a second carrier device 35
which is attached to the bolt piece 8.

[0035]The carrier devices 31, 32, 34 and 35, in the example depicted, are
cylindrical sleeves which stick out in the same direction from the bolt
piece 8. The first two carrier devices 31, 34 are attached to the first
16 and second 19 slide, respectively, each by means of a screw 36, 37
which extends through an oblong continuous slot 38, 39, arranged in the
first 16 and second 19 slide, respectively. In this way, it is possible
to fix the two first carrier devices 31, 34 in different positions on the
first 16 and second 19 slide, respectively, so as to thereby vary the
mutual spacing between the first 31, 34 and second 32, 35 carrier devices
on the first 16 and second 19 slide, respectively. To facilitate access
to the screws 36, 37, corresponding slots 51, 52 are also arranged
through the bolt piece 8, the same as in the lock housing. This permits
simple adjustment of the first and second coin sensing devices in order
to accommodate coins of different diameter and value. By virtue of the
slots 51, 52 in the bolt piece 8 and in the lock housing, it is possible
to bring about such an adjustment from outside the lock housing, without
needing to open it up.

[0036]When operating the coin lock shown in FIG. 1-4, one introduces a
first coin A into the first coin opening 2 and a second coin B into the
second coin opening 3. The figures show an application where the spacing
between the first 31 and second 32 carrier device of the first coin
sensing device is equal to the corresponding spacing for the second coin
sensing device and thus where the inserted coins A and B have the same
diameter and value. However, it is evident that the spacing between the
carrier devices 31, 32 of the first coin sensing device can differ from
the spacing between the carrier devices 34, 35 of the second coin sensing
device in order to thereby enable operation of the coin lock only when
two coins with different minimum diameters are inserted in the respective
coin opening provided for this.

[0037]When the coins A and B have been introduced through the respective
coin opening, the coin A drops down and comes to lie against the first 31
and second 32 carrier device of the first coin sensing device. The second
coin B drops down and comes to lie against the first 34 and second 35
carrier device of the second coin sensing device. If the follower 5 is
rotated in the locking direction by means of a key inserted in the lock
cylinder 4 in this position, the bolt piece 8 and the two slides 16 and
19 will be displaced a slight distance horizontally to the forward
position. During this horizontal displacement, the two hooks 14, 15 will
slide along the peripheral surface of the coins A and B, respectively,
such that the hooks 14, 15 are released from the step-shaped stops 18, 21
at the first 16 and second 19 slide, as well as from the step-shaped
guides 12, 13 at the bolt piece 8. The bolt piece 8 and the two slides
16, 19 are thus allowed continued movement toward the forward position.

[0038]During the continued movement, the hooks 14, 15 come to lie against
their respective upper vertical stops 18a, 21a at the first 16 and second
19 slide. The two slides 16, 19 are thereby prevented from continuing to
move, while the bolt piece is further displaced to the forward position.
In this way, the spacing between the first 31, 34 and second 32, 35
carrier devices of the first and second coin sensing devices increases
such that the coins A, B can drop down between their respective carrier
devices. During this relative movement between the bolt piece 8 and the
first 16 and second 19 slide, respectively, the two springs 17, 20 are
compressed.

[0039]Continued turning of the follower in the locking direction then
imparts to the bolt piece 8 and the bolt a downward vertical movement,
such that the bolt can engage with a striking plate or the like and take
up its forward locked position.

[0040]When the first coin A drops down between the carrier devices 31, 32,
it abuts against the projecting flange 23 and is thereby led in through
the through opening 22 in the bolt piece. The first coin A is then led
down to an entrance of a pay coin container (not shown) located beneath
the lock housing, which entrance is situated at the side of the bolt
piece 8 opposite the carrier devices 31, 32, 34, 35 and underneath the
latter. The second coin B drops down between the carrier devices 34, 35
to the coin return container 7, situated beneath these, where the user
can retrieve it. The coin lock is expediently arranged on the inside of a
locker door or the like, such that the return coin can only be retrieved
after the coin lock has been unlocked once again and the locker door
opened.

[0041]When the coin lock is to be unlocked, the follower 5 turns by means
of the key in the opposite unlocking direction, whereupon the bolt 9 and
the bolt piece 8 are first lifted vertically upward such that the bolt is
disengaged from the striking plate. Continued turning of the follower 5
in the unlocking direction then imparts to the bolt 9 and the bolt piece
8 a horizontal displacement in the direction of the rear position. During
this displacement, the springs 17, 20 press the two slides 16, 19 to
their respective starting positions relative to the bolt piece. Then the
hooks 14, 15 slide stepwise down the step-shaped guides 18, 21 on the
slides 16, 19 and the step-shaped guides 12, 13 of the bolt piece 8,
without hindering the movement of the bolt piece 8 and the two slides 16,
19 back to the rear position.

[0042]In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the coin lock comprises
only one slide 41, which can move in limited fashion relative to the bolt
piece. The slide 41 has two slots 38', 39', on which the first carrier
devices 31', 34' of the first and second coin sensing devices,
respectively, are attached in a way corresponding to that described
above. This embodiment lacks the upper vertical stops for the hooks 14,
15. The coin lock according to this embodiment functions for the most
part like the above-described coin lock, but it differs from the latter
in that the hooks 14, 15 do not bring about any increase in the spacing
between the first 31', 34' and second 32', 35' carrier devices during
movement of the bolt piece in the direction of the forward position.
Instead, there occurs a separation of the first carrier devices 31', 34'
from the second carrier devices 32', 35' for release of the coin,
manually by pressing a button 42, which by means of a wedge-shaped
projection 43, abutting against a cavity 44 in the slide 41, presses the
slide 41 so that the first carrier devices 31', 34' are moved in the
direction away from the second carrier devices 32', 35'.

[0043]The coin lock according to the invention furthermore allows the lock
housing to be configured with a relatively slight thickness and permits a
simple and easily understandable operation, along with a high degree of
flexibility and freedom of choice in regard to the choice and placement
of different containers for return coins and/or pay coins. Moreover, the
coin lock of the invention enables a modular design, where the coin lock
can be easily adapted for a series of different applications by adding,
removing, or replacing a single or a number of standardized modular
components.

[0044]Illustrative embodiments of the coin lock according to the invention
have been described above. However, it will be appreciated that the
invention is not limited to these illustrative embodiments and instead
can be freely varied within the scope of the attached claims. For
example, instead of the bolt being designed as a component attached to
the bolt piece, it can form a single component with the bolt piece. In
the examples shown, the bolt is a hook bolt, but it is obvious that the
bolt instead can be of a straight type or any other suitable type.
Furthermore, the movement of the bolt piece between the rear and forward
positions can describe paths of movement other than two consecutive
rectilinear displacements.